Doors open at Somerstown's new dental practice

This week Solent Health NHS Trust officially opened a new dental practice in the heart of Portsmouth, at the Somerstown Central (The Hub) on Tyseley Road.
The new dental clinic completes a range of health services now on offer for local people at the £10.8m community hub which straddles Winston Churchill Avenue. Other community facilities include a community centre, youth club, dance studios, sports hall, café and housing offices.
The surgery is specifically designed to cater for people with a disability and vulnerable client groups, by providing specialist dental services.
Adaptive equipment and specially trained staff are on hand to make services more accessible. The team transferred from their old base at Eastney Health Centre.
Earlier this year a health survey across the city found that just under a fifth of five year olds in Portsmouth have tooth decay. A local health needs assessment also confirmed that that the oral health of the under 12 year olds in Portsmouth is significantly worse in the city compared to national averages.
Cllr Stephen Morgan, local ward councillor, popped into the new surgery to pay staff a visit and view the much-needed new facilities.

Cllr Stephen Morgan tries out adaptive equipment at the new dental clinic

Stephen said:‘This is a fantastic new health service in the heart of Portsmouth.

It has been excellent to meet the dedicated staff, health trust managers and representatives of patient groups and try out the specialist equipment which will help the clinic tailor care to those with specific needs. It’s an impressive facility. I know it will be an asset to the city’s health services and well received by local people”.For more information about the surgery and for opening times call 03003002017 or visit www.solent.nhs.uk